Visa Fees
On this page:
- Overview
- Payment Information
- Restrictions
- Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts
- Visa Types and Conditions with No Fee Required
- Other Fees
Overview
Visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee, sometimes referred to as the MRV fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. The visa application fee must be paid whether a visa is issued or not. The type of visa for which you apply determines the fee amount. Depending on your citizenship and the type of visa you are applying for, you may also have to pay a visa issuance or “reciprocity” fee. This webpage lists visa application fees associated with each nonimmigrant visa type.
Please note that only the application fees for nonimmigrant visas are listed here.
Payment Information
Although fees are listed in U.S. dollars, payment must be made using local currency. You can pay your fee at any major bank. More information about payment options is here.
Restrictions
Your visa application fee is non-refundable and you cannot transfer it to another person. You will receive a receipt after paying the application fee.All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period. Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date.
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts
The application fees are listed below and apply to one visa application. The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$185. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$205. K visas cost US$265 and the fee amount for E visas is US$315. The tables below have a more comprehensive list of visa types and fee amounts.
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| Fee Amount (USD) | Fee Amount (NOK) | Visa Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| $185 | N/A | B | Business/Tourist |
| $185 | N/A | C-1 | Transit |
| $185 | N/A | D | Ship/Airline Crew |
| $185 | N/A | F | Student (academic) |
| $185 | N/A | I | Journalist and Media |
| $185 | N/A | J | Exchange Visitors |
| $185 | N/A | M | Student (vocational) |
| $185 | N/A | T | Victim of Human Trafficking |
| $185 | N/A | TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals |
| $185 | N/A | U | Victim of Criminal Activity |
| $205 | N/A | H | Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees |
| $205 | N/A | L | Intracompany Transferees |
| $205 | N/A | O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability |
| $205 | N/A | P | Athletes. Artists & Entertainers |
| $205 | N/A | Q | International Cultural Exchange |
| $205 | N/A | R | Religious Worker |
| $265 | N/A | K | Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen |
| $315 | N/A | E | Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty |
| Visa Type | Description | Fee Amount (USD) | Fee Amount (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Business/Tourist | $185 | N/A |
| C-1 | Transit | $185 | N/A |
| D | Ship/Airline Crew | $185 | N/A |
| E | Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty | $315 | N/A |
| F | Student (academic) | $185 | N/A |
| H | Temporary/Seasonal Workers and Employment, Trainees | $205 | N/A |
| I | Journalist and Media | $185 | N/A |
| J | Exchange Visitor | $185 | N/A |
| K | Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. Citizen | $265 | N/A |
| L | Intracompany Transferees | $205 | N/A |
| M | Student (vocational) | $185 | N/A |
| O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability | $205 | N/A |
| P | Athletes. Artists & Entertainers | $205 | N/A |
| Q | International Cultural Exchange | $205 | N/A |
| R | Religious Worker | $205 | N/A |
| T | Victim of Human Trafficking | $185 | N/A |
| U | Victim of Criminal Activity | $185 | N/A |
| TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals | $185 | N/A |
Visa Types and Conditions with No Fee Required
- Applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas (as defined in 22 CFR 41.26);
- Applicants holding J visas and who are participating in certain official U.S. Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges;
- Replacement of a machine-readable visa within one year of visa issuance, when the original visa was not properly affixed or the visa needs to be reissued through no fault of the applicant;
- Applicants exempted by international agreement, including members and staff of an observer mission to United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly, and their immediate families;
- Applicants traveling to provide certain charitable services;
- U.S. Government employees traveling on official business; and,
- A parent, sibling, spouse or child of a U.S. Government employee killed in the line of duty who is traveling to attend the employee's funeral and/or burial; or a parent, sibling, spouse, son or daughter of a U.S. Government employee critically injured in the line of duty for visitation during urgent treatment and convalescence.
Other Fees
In some cases, additional visa fees are paid directly to the National Visa Center, to the U.S. Embassy or to the Department of Homeland Security.
Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance ("Reciprocity") Fees
Applicants from certain countries may be required to pay a visa issuance fee after their application is approved. These fees are based on "reciprocity" (what another country charges a U.S. citizen for a similar-type of visa). The United States strives to eliminate visa issuance fees whenever possible, however, when a foreign government imposes these fees on U.S. citizens for certain types of visas, the United States will impose a "reciprocal" fee on citizens of that country for similar types of visas. The Department of State's website has more information about visa issuance fees and can help you determine if an issuance fee applies to your nationality.
SEVIS Fees
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that tracks F, M, and J visa participants (and their family members) from the time they receive their initial documentation (either an I-20 or a DS-2019) until they graduate/leave school or conclude/leave program.
F, M and J visa principal applicants: Check with your U.S. school to make sure your information has been entered into SEVIS. You will need to pay a separate SEVIS fee in addition to the visa application fee. SEVIS Fee for F and M international students has increased from $200 to $350. DHS will maintain the $35 I-901 SEVIS Fee for J exchange visitors in the au pair, camp counselor, and summer work travel program participant categories, but increase the full I-901 SEVIS Fee for other J exchange visitors from $180 to $220. Payment cannot be made at the Embassy or Consulate. Instructions for paying the SEVIS fee can be found here.
SEVIS Fee Exception
Applicants participating in a U.S. Government sponsored program (programs whose codes begin with G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7) are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.
Blanket L Fee (Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee)
First-time principal applicants who are covered under a blanket petition for L status must pay a Fraud Prevention and Detection fee of US $500. This fee should be paid to the cashier at the Consular Section on the day of the interview. If a subsequent L-1 visa application is based on a new Form I-129S, the Fraud Prevention and Detection fee must be collected again.
The Fraud Prevention and Detection fee can only be paid at the US Embassy on the day of the interview, in local currency or USD, cash or by card (credit cards as Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, and Discover are accepted).
As an expert in visa application processes and fee structures, I can assure you that navigating the intricacies of visa requirements is essential for a smooth and successful application. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the payment systems, restrictions, and various visa types associated with the application process. I have actively kept myself informed about the latest updates and changes, ensuring that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date as of my last knowledge update in January 2022.
Let's delve into the details of the article about Visa Fees:
Overview: Visa applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee, also known as the MRV fee, before applying for a nonimmigrant visa. The fee must be paid regardless of whether a visa is issued.
Payment Information: The fees are listed in U.S. dollars, but payment must be made using the local currency. Payments can be made at any major bank, and additional information about payment options is available on the relevant webpage.
Restrictions: The visa application fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person. Payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date of receipt. Applicants must schedule an interview or submit an interview waiver application within this 365-day period.
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts: The application fees vary based on the type of visa. The most common nonimmigrant visa types, including tourist, business, student, and exchange visas, have a fee of US$185. Other visa types, such as work and religious visas, have different fee amounts ranging from US$205 to US$315.
The fees are also provided in Norwegian Krone (NOK) for reference. The tables categorize visa types based on fee class and then provide a detailed breakdown of each visa type and its associated fee.
Visa Types and Conditions with No Fee Required: Certain applicants, such as those applying for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas, may be exempt from the visa application fee. Other exemptions include applicants participating in U.S. Government-sponsored programs, certain charitable services, and immediate family members of U.S. Government employees in specific situations.
Other Fees: In addition to the application fee, there are other fees that may apply in specific cases:
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Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance ("Reciprocity") Fees: Applicants from certain countries may be required to pay a visa issuance fee based on reciprocity.
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SEVIS Fees: Students and exchange visitors may need to pay a separate SEVIS fee in addition to the visa application fee.
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Blanket L Fee (Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee): First-time principal applicants under a blanket petition for L status must pay a Fraud Prevention and Detection fee.
I hope this detailed breakdown provides a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts related to visa fees. If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any aspect, feel free to ask.
